the differences between gerunds and infinitives

Introduction

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Here is a brief review of the differences between gerunds and infinitives. Gerunds are formed with ING: walking, talking, thinking, listening Infinitives are formed with TO: to walk, to talk, to think, to listen Gerunds and infinitives can do several jobs: Both gerunds and infinitives can be the subject of a sentence:: Writing in English is difficult. To write in English is difficult. Both gerunds and infinitives can be the object of a verb:: I like writing in English. I like to write in English. But... Only gerunds can be the object of a preposition:: We are talking about writing in English. It is often difficult to know when to use a gerund and when to use an infinitive. These guidelines may help you: Gerunds are often used when actions are real, concrete or completed:: I stopped smoking. (The smoking was real and happened until I stopped.) Infinitives are often used when actions are unreal, abstract, or future:: I stopped to smoke. (I was doing something else, and I stopped; the smoking had not happened yet.)